THE ROW over the venue for the All-Ireland under-21 Hurling final has intensified as Galway hurling board chairman Joe Byrne yesterday appealed for the final to be held in a neutral venue.

The final between Tipperary and Galway is set to be held in Thurles on Saturday the 11th of September following a decision made by the GAA on Monday.

From hoganstand.com:

“We are asking the management committee to reconsider the decision and to move the game to a neutral venue,” Byrne commented yesterday.

“We feel it is very unfair on us to have to go and take Tipperary on not only in their home venue, but where they train. We have nothing against the venue and Galway teams have always enjoyed playing in Semple Stadium, but it is an entirely different matter taking on Tipperary there in an All-Ireland final.

“It is very disheartening, especially after making representations, that the game has been fixed for Thurles, not least as there are plenty of neutral venues such as Limerick, Portlaoise and Tullamore, some of which have floodlights as well.

“We are very disappointed by this and are looking for the powers that be to see common sense and play this game at a neutral venue.”